Hilary Duff Makes Emotional Return to Charlotte on Lucky Me Tour Stop
...with Jade LeMac, La Roux
Tears filled Hilary Duff’s eyes and her voice cracked softly as she thanked fans for their years of support at Truliant Amphitheater on Saturday. The Lucky Me Tour stop in Charlotte was part of Duff’s first excursion in nearly two decades.
“Seeing you respond the way that you have has been a real gift,” Duff said, noting how nervous she was to return to the stage but adding that it was worth it because she loves to see fans “scream-sing the old songs that tap the part of us that we need to reach sometimes.”
Her expressions of gratitude were nearly drowned out by the cheering crowd as she thanked the fanbase for “letting her do this again after nearly 20 years.”
The emotional moment came between a mix of nostalgic classics and current hits from Duff’s recent chart-topping album, Luck… or Something, which marked her return to the music industry after a decade-plus-long hiatus and her first performance in Charlotte since summer 2004.
Fans were captivated by the 90-minute set, which kicked off with “Wake Up” and included “Roommates,” “Anywhere But Here,” “Why Not,” and “Come Clean,” with an encore of recent single, “Mature” and cult-classic “What Dreams Are Made Of” from 2003’s The Lizzie McGuire Movie.
Duff was backed by a full band and backup singers. Production featured pink-hued stage lights, pyrotechnics, butterfly confetti and glitter-filled beach balls that bounced around the crowd.
“I loved the energy,” stated Kristen Nawn, who described herself as a super fan and drove nearly four hours to attend the show. “Hearing the songs I grew up with along with her recent hits made me and my inner child so happy.”
Another fan was impressed with the setlist, noting, “She gave the people what they want,” by blending crowd-pleasing favorites with fresh, new tracks. “Her voice sounded incredible and she looked amazing and comfortable.”
Indeed, Duff’s vocals, dance moves and wardrobe changes showcased her grace and professionalism on stage.
A surprise was in store for lucky fans who were selected to join Duff on stage to perform the cult-favorite choreography to “With Love.” Since the Lucky Me Tour kicked off in June, Duff has brought several fans onto the stage to perform the “With Love” dance in unison with her, poking fun at a choreography moment from her Today Show appearance in 2007 that’s since gone viral on social media.
On Saturday night in Charlotte, Duff brought a whopping 22 fans on stage to perform the viral dance with her, the most of any date thus far on the tour. Fans on stage and throughout the arena sported looks from Duff’s various acting and performing roles from over the years.
“It was very colorful and joyful in the amphitheater tonight,” noted one fan.
Throwback millennial fashion favorites such as bright colors, fun hairstyles and butterfly clips were in abundance.
Portions of the setlist were also capped by montages of photos and videos, transporting fans down memory lane through her acting roles in Lizzie McGuire, Cadet Kelly and more. Screens depicted behind-the-scenes footage of Duff’s time as a child actress through life as a teenage pop star and current shots of her family.
Duff shares three daughters with her musician husband, Matthew Koma, and has one son from a prior relationship.
The night opened with Canadian singer-songwriter Jade LeMac, and English synth-pop artist, La Roux, whose 2009 hit “Bulletproof” had the crowd jumping. The Lucky Me Tour continues in Bristow, Virginia, on Sunday night and weaves through stops in North America, Europe and Australia before concluding in Mexico in early 2027.
Hilary Duff setlist
Wake Up
So Yesterday
Roommates
Weather For Tennis
Play With Fire
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
Sparks
Future Tripping
With Love
Beat of My Heart
You, From the Honeymoon
Anywhere But Here
Growing Up
Fly
Holiday Party
We Don’t Talk
Why Not
Adult Size Medium
Come Clean
Mature
What Dreams Are Made Of
Be sure to check out Queen City Nerve’s Soundwave, Charlotte’s most comprehensive live music listing, so you don’t miss out on any shows or concerts coming up. And hell, if you’re looking for something else to do, you can check out our events page as well, which runs the gamut of things to do in Charlotte. You don’t ever have to be bored again. You can check out more of Jeff’s pics and live reviews here.
